Super 8 D'Iberville/Biloxi Area

... the tent, well that ****** them off royally. About 15 minutes later it like a prison shower scene out of OZ. The varmints are trying to get into the tent, unzipping the door while I zip it shut. This goes on for about another half an hour and then the masked marauders get bored and take their show to the next campsite. As I close my eyes, I hear the distant shrieks and pots clanging together, another satisfied customer.

Jordan left us this morning to head back to Phoenix. His mom is very nervous about him flying by himself for the first time, but I am sure he will do fine. He's already taller than his dad, so I don't think anyone is going to mess with him.

Our next stop is Biloxi, MS…another rest stop before joining up with Aunt Kathy and Uncle Dennis in Prattville, AL ...

... fills and flushes. The pleasant smell has him running for cover at various times. Mid procedure, I depart for lunch with Red given Ted has no interest in Red's fine dining. Would have been funny to see Ted and Red go at it. I think Ted takes him - he's working out and probably has sewage anger. Unless of course Red (Verne) drops him with an apron swat to the throat and rapidly applies a cane-legged figure four. Ted drives us ...

... Lloyd and Steph are friends of ours from Chicago where Dan and Lloyd worked together at PSINet and Lloyd was in our wedding. They have two beautiful little girls - Marissa (4, almost 5 going on 30) and Nicelle (1 and 1/2). Lloyd is the BEST cook and did not disappoint on this trip. We have a long standing disagreement on which seafood cooking method is better - Lloyd prefers the "boil" while I swear by steaming. But I gotta tell you - I was ...

A nice and early departure from Mississippi, heading towards the wide open spaces of Texas. passed the "Cross" along the way- what a sight. Tonight's stay in a small town just outside of Dallas. Long day, lot's of traffic towards the end. and 10 hours of travelling.

Today we left Gulfport, Florida for Las Vegas, and made the conscious decision to spend the first night in Gulfport, Mississippi, how apropos. Jose Luis is doing 100% of the driving, he is a master at commanding the U-haul. Tango and Cassis are taking up the majority of the front seat, stretched out and slumbering soundly with every bump of the truck's tires ...

... all the M's of the McDonalds signs are torn down...how is anyone supposed to have their usual hamburger? Terrible weather consequences! On the other side from Houston onwards the scenery has started becoming much greener and humid...with plenty of swamps to be found. To entertain us we have Cajun Music on the Radio and some sort of French dialect to go with it, while they announce the "Poo Parts Bakery" in New Orleans ...

... Gulf beaches. It looked all the better for the fact that the sun was out and the sky was blue. We remarked on how all of the front line property seemed new. And then we began to notice foundations of buildings that were no longer there, and we realised that this whole coastline had been wiped out, presumably by Katrina. Anything that was standing was quite clearly leas than 3 years old. From the remnants of the former structures it appeared that this had previously been a thriving ...

Last night's meal was nothing special and as it didn't seem to save us anything we're back to steak houses tonight. Excellent day today with only 100 miles travelled and all "West on 10" - in other words Interstate, so very easy driving. We stopped off at Mobile, AL to visit the USS Alabama - a WWII battleship which commenced ...

... as best we could guess). Finally, we stopped for late lunch in the French Market Restaurant and Bar, open and operating since 1803. We ordered yet another dozen oysters on the half shell, some gumbo and a muffaletta. A muffaletta is an Italian sandwich with pepperoni, salami, and ham, and provolone cheese topped with diced green and black olives and garlic marinated in olive oil. We couldn't for the life of us figure out what such an Italian sandwich was doing in an area ...